Act I Study Guide


1.The play has been said to be a universal. A universal is an attempt on Wilder's part to make the experience larger than just confined to Grover's Corners. In other words, the play is really about all of us. By listing 3 examples, show how Wilder convinces us of this purpose. You may select characters, plot events, patterns of behavior, themes, and/or symbols for your examples.

Identify-->(tell me what it is & when we notice it) and discuss the significance--> (tell me why it's important to understanding the play) of each of the following:

2."no curtain, no scenery"
3.The title
4.The Stage Manager
5.Joe Crowell
6.Professor Willard's comments
7.The Stage Manager's comments about babylon
8.The Jane Crofut letter

Information Question
9. The time span covered in act one is
a)one week b)two days c)one day d)one month

Inference question

10. Dr. Gibbs asks Joe Crowell: "anything serious goin on in the world since Wednesday?" Joe replies: "Yessir. My schoolteacher, Miss Foster, is gettin married to a fella o'er in Concord."
This conversation is intended to show:
a) The lack of communication between people
b) the basic insecurity of Dr. Gibbs
c) the bizarre romance that nearly everyone is gossiping about in act one
d)the smallness of the world in Grover's Corner's